UM B Ball has all the 247 Crystal Balls for SG Josh Christopher
With a decision seemingly near, Michigan amazingly has 100% of the 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions for 2020 five-star guard Joshua Christopher, the nation's number two shooting guard according to 247Sports analysts. I’m hoping Isaiah Todd doesn’t go overseas, definitely see a title before this class leaves.
February 26th, 2020 at 10:50 AM ^
fire howard.
and bakich.
and hutch.
February 26th, 2020 at 11:36 AM ^
will "fire harbuagh" ever be an equivalent joke? we can only dream.
February 26th, 2020 at 2:56 PM ^
Fire Beilein too! Oops, he jumped before he was pushed.
February 26th, 2020 at 10:51 AM ^
Although this is good, seems like an odd thing to say that you definitely see a title before this class leaves. Considering they will each probably only be here a year.
February 26th, 2020 at 10:58 AM ^
The only ones that might leave after one year, provided Josh comes here, are Josh and Todd. This class still has Zeb, Hunter, Jace and Terrance to combine with our vets and future Diaper Dandies.
February 26th, 2020 at 11:15 AM ^
Todd will probably get 10 ish minutes a game. If he leaves, it will be for overseas.
Dickinson will have a better chance of leaving for the NBA IMO. And i don't see him leaving either since he is a 1980's type NBA center.
February 26th, 2020 at 11:17 AM ^
You make absolutely no sense.
February 26th, 2020 at 12:13 PM ^
Well, I think 10 is a bit of an stretch, but I do think he makes some sense. Todd wants to be a 1-and-done player and yet he's staring at a depth chart that has two other future NBA guys (Livers, Wagner) along with a proven backup (Johns) competing for minutes. That doesn't even take into account another physically ready freshman in Williams. Combine that with the fact that Todd would immediately be the best athlete we've had in years but is still a little raw and inconsistent with his game.
In a normal year Todd would start at the 4 right away and spend every game alternating between a highlight play (dunk, pass, shot, spin move, block, etc.) and a typical raw-freshman mistake (out of place, turnover, lost on D, brick from the outside, trying to do too much). If he does too much of that next year he'll be sitting on the bench and Johns will play.
With that being said, there will be some surprise roster movement in the next few months that will make all of these thoughts moot. I also think Todd as a small-ball 5 is really enticing in a year where our center position is going to be unproven. Put him out there with Brooks, Cristopher, Wagner, Livers and let them run on offense and play a 2-3 zone on defense.
February 26th, 2020 at 12:23 PM ^
Livers should go to the NBA. He's a great shooter, is a strong defender, has improved his dribbling skills and is a great rebounder. Has anyone else also noticed that he's always the inbounder on key plays - including the Poole Buzzer Beater? I take this as he is a smart player and trusted to make the right decisions. I know he had two bonehead errors against MSU, but by in large, he is a well rounded player that has the size to stretch the court in the NBA. He started over Duncan Robinson who is not logging serious minutes for a good team. As much as I would like him to stay, it's not happening. Don't get your hopes up. The kid is ready to make some serious cash.
If I still don't have you convinced, think about the others who left early and how they compare on their respective teams. Livers is THE GUY this year. Mathews left and couldn't score or shoot as well. Poole was not as strong as a rebounder or defender and had bad decision making. Brazdeikis was not as good of a defender, and I don't recall him being as quick to the rim or being able to shoot as well, but it's closer than the others. DJ Wilson was not as good of a shooter and could defend well in the paint, but not as versatile as Livers. Wagner was probably better offensively, especially when he had breakout games, but fouled a lot - A LOT, and therefore was a bit of a liability on defense.
TLDR: My Livers love fest makes me think he will leave.
February 26th, 2020 at 1:03 PM ^
I also noticed he is always the inbound player...and it is solely because he has an elite shot...an NBA level shot... look at his free throw shooting percentage... the dude is money in the bank.
Makes me think he is going to the NBA next year... don't want it at all... he and Franz are big flight risks next year... both will get first round grades...good for them... but man, do I want them to both stay. If they both leave, don't expect we make the tourney next year, because youth is youth.
February 26th, 2020 at 1:39 PM ^
So, you're saying that if Livers and Wagner go pro after this season, the Michigan men's basketball team will not make the NCAA tournament next year? Is this what you're saying?
I'm going to go ahead and just disagree with you...
February 26th, 2020 at 3:37 PM ^
Dumbest statement I have seen in a while.
No mocks I've seen have either Livers or Wagner getting drafted at all.
And if you really think a team of DDJ, Christopher, Brooks, Todd, Castleton, Dickinson, Jackson, Williams, Johns, & Bajema would miss the tournament... wow.
February 26th, 2020 at 11:26 PM ^
Livers is actually getting a ton of 1st round talk now. NBA insiders on ESPNU had an NBA mock draft with Livers going to the Bulls at # 8
Seth Greenberg and Jay Bilas have both recently said Livers is a player that played himself into the mid-1st round and a good run at the end of the season,could push him into the top 10. The NBA is moving to the 6"8 guy that can play 3-4 spots,shoot the three and is athletic .Most teams have 3 starters 6"7- 6"8 now
February 26th, 2020 at 4:49 PM ^
You’re a really big fan of the ellipsis... aren’t you
February 26th, 2020 at 8:26 PM ^
in Addition to being smart with the passes, he’s the best at throwing it like a football with spin to get good distance with speed
February 26th, 2020 at 2:00 PM ^
Idk, I could see Wagner at the 3, Livers at 4, and Todd as a 4/5 tweener. Josh at the 2 and your pick of Eli/DDJ at point
February 26th, 2020 at 4:29 PM ^
Dickinson could end up a 4 year guy. He has great size and skill but lacks NBA mobility/athleticism for now.
February 26th, 2020 at 10:58 AM ^
Especially when we might get a title before this class arrives?
February 26th, 2020 at 12:13 PM ^
So much this. Winning a National Championship is really, really hard. I mean, Duke didn't win one with Zion Fucking Williamson last year, and here's where they ranked on the 247 Composite...
Class of 2015: 2nd
Class of 2016: 1st
Class of 2017: 1st
Class of 2018: 1st
February 26th, 2020 at 9:00 PM ^
Winning a NC involves being talented, good as a team, solid coaching, focus, luck and being hot at the right time. So many variables. That is why teams hang a banner just for making a Final 4. It's a big deal to get that far even if you don't win it all.
February 26th, 2020 at 1:50 PM ^
Still, if Livers comes back somehow, it could be true. Michigan is going to be a monster next year.
February 26th, 2020 at 10:09 PM ^
Then we won't have to wait long.
February 26th, 2020 at 10:55 AM ^
Well, since you said we will definitely win a title...
February 26th, 2020 at 10:57 AM ^
Juwan is recruiting a top 5 class with Michigan's academic restrictions and no online classes. I didnt know that was possible. /s
February 26th, 2020 at 11:04 AM ^
You missed Bagmen
February 26th, 2020 at 11:33 AM ^
The benefits of having a coach who earned over $150 million in his NBA career.
February 26th, 2020 at 12:19 PM ^
And had Alonzo Mourning sitting courtside and visiting the locker room after the game.
February 26th, 2020 at 2:59 PM ^
Dikembe Mutumbo*
February 26th, 2020 at 12:57 PM ^
If only Jim Harbaugh had a 15 year NFL career and made millions of dollars too.
February 26th, 2020 at 11:48 AM ^
No online classes?
February 26th, 2020 at 12:08 PM ^
Please direct me to the undergrad classes that can be taken for credit towards a degree other than dental hygiene.
February 26th, 2020 at 12:47 PM ^
and no online classes.
Since when doesn't UM offer online courses?
Michigan Online is your destination for online learning opportunities created by the University of Michigan.
What We Offer: Choose from a variety of learning experiences, from individual courses to fully online degrees.
February 26th, 2020 at 9:21 PM ^
You're crazy if you think a one-and-done is coming to Michigan and signing up for classes towards a Master's degree, seeing as those are the only online degrees available....Oh, there is Dental. I'm sure they are all signing up to be dentists.
6.7.0
6.7.0February 26th, 2020 at 11:56 PM ^
12.14.00
February 26th, 2020 at 10:57 AM ^
Where's the "We Landed on the Moon!" gif?
February 26th, 2020 at 11:01 AM ^
I checked to see if it was posted, if so please delete Mod Overlords.
February 26th, 2020 at 11:30 AM ^
Why do we have to delete the Mod Overlords? Not sure they'd appreciate that...
February 26th, 2020 at 10:58 AM ^
"Definitely see a title before this class leaves?"
Everyone was saying that about Zion and Co. last year. Arguably the greatest class ever assembled, and better than the Fab Five. They didn't even make it to the Final Four.
An NCAA basketball title may be the hardest trophy to win in American sports. Or at least the second hardest, behind the Stanley Cup. Would a class like this be a bona fide contender for a national championship? Absolutely. But in no way would I make any bets on them making it to the Final Four, much less win it all. Crazy shit happens in the tournament to at least one top contender every single year.
February 26th, 2020 at 11:08 AM ^
If it’s not the hardest it’s the biggest crapshoot.
The wild thing is if Juwan has Duke/Kentucky level tournament success without an early title a faction of the fan base will whine unendingly about seed underperformance.
Higher expectations = more crazy. Especially here.
February 26th, 2020 at 11:12 AM ^
Coach K doesnt coach defense anymore. Based on what I see from Coach Howard we are well coached as Brooks, Davis, Johns, Dejulius, Livers have all gotten better. He isnt a roll out the balls type of coach.
February 26th, 2020 at 11:19 AM ^
Duke has had some bad defenses these past 10 years, but this year's team is 12th in KenPom's defensive ratings, last year Duke was 6th, and the year before that 9th. Duke still plays very good to elite defense.
February 26th, 2020 at 3:29 PM ^
Better athletes are better defenders all else being equal. They can jump higher to block shots and they have the foot speed to stay in front of the offensive player. When they jump a passing lane, they have the quickness to get there. To take the next step and be a great defensive team, you have to start adding in positioning, awareness, help defense, rotations, multiple looks, etc., all things that improve with coaching. Just because Coach K has the #12 defense doesn’t mean he’s a great defensive coach. In other words, give me #1 talent and I’ll want to see #1 defense.
February 26th, 2020 at 11:30 AM ^
How does it feel to get clowned by BAMBI
February 26th, 2020 at 11:49 AM ^
I don't know, ask Faux Mo.
February 26th, 2020 at 3:15 PM ^
I get this is tongue in cheek, but what I admire about Bambi is her/his ability to make a point without being argumentative or rude, or making about her/himself.
February 26th, 2020 at 11:31 AM ^
Do we know how well the guys in this class can shoot at the next level? Because Duke couldn't shoot for shit. They recruited A++ athletes but only had 1 guy who took more than one 3PA/game that could hit over 35% (O'Connell). As a team they were 300+ in 3P%.
Their PG was a worse shooter than Simpson.
Their SG/SF/PF were all 6'7"+ guys who couldn't shoot away from the basket (Zion was ok) and their PF was a C that took 8 shots the entire season that weren't considered "close 2s."
Teams could sag off of them and prepare for Zion/Reddish/Barrett to come driving down on them. At one point in the MSU game I'm pretty sure they put Winston at the free throw line to cover Tre Jones because they knew he couldn't shoot. He only took 1 because he knew it too.
If Michigan can mix in the athletes they have coming in with an improved Wagner and possibly Livers read to bomb teams from above outside, they could be in serious business.
February 26th, 2020 at 12:19 PM ^
Good post man. As I keep saying, this is a crazily nuanced game and things happen for a reason out there on the court-things that are not apparent to most. I am profoundly impressed with Juwan to this point. The way he is bringing the current group of rather marginally gifted players along gives me hope that he is going to rocket Michigan right past Coach K, Calipari, Self and Williams-when those elite kids start showing up. It may take several years to figure out how to negotiate this new to Michigan landscape but all the signs are pointing up. And I agree, if next year's roster has Livers and Wagner on it as a base to grow from, and I would add DDJ as well, it could truly be a banner year...and from there-the sky may be the limit.
February 26th, 2020 at 12:52 PM ^
I wouldn't really call them "marginally gifted."
Livers, Franz, and Johns are all very, very athletic players.They don't have 5 guys that can all hit their heads on the rim, but it's not like Zack Novak is playing the 4 anymore (miss you Zack).
If Juwan can develop fundamentals close to what Beilein could in guys that are at the top of the athletic spectrum, they can do some damage.
February 26th, 2020 at 11:33 AM ^
The same thing happened to that Duke 'team' that has beset all the 1&Done dream teams Kentucky put together - there was no 'team' on the floor. Just a bunch of guys showing their stuff for the world to see. I hope Juwan has more of a team on the floor...
February 26th, 2020 at 11:58 AM ^
Agree. We are spoiled by the two recent final fours and elite eight. How many amazing recruiting classes have Duke, UNC, Kansas, and Kentucky had where they did not make it to the Final Four?
Look at Memphis this year. 5-star recruits are high risk/high reward. They create very high expectations. But the statistical probability of any team making a Final Four is still well below 50% when the season starts in November.
Consider that a Big Ten team has not won a national championship since 2000, and before that it was the good guys in 1989. So that's one national champion from the Big Ten in the past 30 years.